Sampling container for collection of fluids

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the collection, transportation and analysis of gas samples which may be required in various scientific, environmental and natural resource contexts is provided. The apparatus comprises a sampling container assembly for sampling a fluid. The container assembly comprises a body defining a sampling chamber having a first end and a second end, a first valve assembly fluidly coupled with the first end and a reactant material positioned within the sampling chamber for reacting with the fluid. After collection of the sample in the sampling container assembly, hazardous fluids are converted to non-hazardous materials that can be transported without additional hazardous material restraints. Further, the flow through design of the sampling container assembly allows for the collection of gases such as H 2 S at low concentrations by flowing the gas over the reactant materials for longer periods of time.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A container assembly for sampling a fluid, comprising:
 a body defining a sampling chamber having a first end and a second end; 
 a first valve assembly coupled with the first end; 
 a reactant material positioned within the sampling chamber for reacting with the fluid; and 
 an indicator material for identifying the presence of the fluid, and positioned downstream relative to the reactant material in the sampling chamber. 
 
     
     
       2. The container assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second valve assembly coupled with the second end, wherein the fluid enters the sampling chamber through the first valve assembly and exits through the second valve assembly. 
 
     
     
       3. The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly are self sealing for retaining the fluid within the chamber. 
     
     
       4. The container assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a filtering material positioned within the sampling chamber for controlling flow and separating the indicator material from the reactant material. 
 
     
     
       5. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid contains hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and the reactant material converts hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) to an inert form. 
     
     
       6. The container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the indicator material identifies the presence of H 2 S and indicates when the reaction of H 2 S with the reactant material is complete. 
     
     
       7. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a gas selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) containing gases, carbon monoxide (CO) containing gases, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) containing gases, and hydrocarbon containing gases. 
     
     
       8. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the reactant material is configured to at least partially convert the fluid to an inert form containing a component for analysis. 
     
     
       9. A container assembly for sampling a fluid, comprising:
 a body defining a sampling chamber having a first end and a second end; 
 a first valve assembly coupled with the first end; 
 a second valve assembly coupled with the second end; 
 an indicator material positioned within the sampling chamber for identifying the presence of a fluid; 
 a reactant material positioned within the sampling chamber for reacting with the fluid; and 
 a filtering material positioned within the sampling chamber for controlling flow of the fluid through the sampling chamber, wherein the indicator material is positioned downstream relative to the reactant material. 
 
     
     
       10. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator material identifies the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and indicates when the reaction of H 2 S with the reactant material is complete. 
     
     
       11. The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator material is selected from the group consisting of: lead acetate, copper sulfate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       12. The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the reactant material is selected from the group consisting of: zinc carbonate hydroxide (Zn 5 (CO 3 ) 2 (OH) 6 ), iron III oxide hydrate (2FeO(OH)), zinc acetate (2(C 2 H 3 O 2 ) 2 Zn), iron oxide (Fe 2 O3), and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the reactant material and the indicator material are each granular solids. 
     
     
       14. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the body is constructed of metal, plastic, polymer or carbon fiber capable of containing fluid under pressure. 
     
     
       15. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the body is constructed of a material which is inert with respect to the fluid, reactant material and the indicator material. 
     
     
       16. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly is a self-closing valve assembly. 
     
     
       17. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the reactant material traps the fluid in an inert (non-hazardous) form. 
     
     
       18. The container of  claim 9 , wherein the filtering material is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene (PE) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based materials. 
     
     
       19. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid is a gas selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) containing gases, carbon monoxide (CO) containing gases, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) containing gases, and hydrocarbon containing gases. 
     
     
       20. The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the reactant material is configured to at least partially convert the fluid to an inert form containing a component for analysis. 
     
     
       21. A container assembly for sampling a fluid, comprising:
 a body defining a sampling chamber having a first end and a second end; 
 a first valve assembly coupled with the first end; 
 a second valve assembly coupled with the second end; 
 an indicator material positioned within the chamber for identifying the presence of a fluid; 
 a reactant material positioned within the sampling chamber for reacting with the fluid; and 
 a filtering material positioned within the sampling chamber for controlling flow of the fluid through the sampling chamber, wherein the indicator material identifies the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and indicates when the reaction of H 2 S with the reactant material is complete. 
 
     
     
       22. The container assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the body is constructed of metal, plastic, polymer or carbon fiber capable of containing fluid under pressure. 
     
     
       23. The container assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the body is constructed of a material which is inert with respect to the fluid, reactant material and the indicator material. 
     
     
       24. The container assembly of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly is a self-closing valve assembly. 
     
     
       25. The container assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the reactant material traps the fluid in an inert (non-hazardous) form. 
     
     
       26. The container assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the filtering material is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene (PE) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based materials. 
     
     
       27. The container assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the reactant material and the indicator material are each granular solids.